Folding chair



1 L. CELANE. FOLDING CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY [9, 1919.

1,329,261 a t d J an, 27, 1920.

WITNESSES 7 3 v @0051). C'ezazze UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB L. CELANE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING CHAIR.

Application filed July 19, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jacoe L. CELANE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Folding Chair, of- Which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates generally to chairs, and more particularly to a folding chair which may be folded to occupy but a small space.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a folding chair of simple and rugged construction which may be readily and conveniently foldedto occupy but little space, whereby it could be used as a camp, beach or picnic chair, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding chair having its parts so constructed and arranged that when opened two seats are formed, one of whi.h may be comfortably occupied by an adult, and the other by a child.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a folding chair having its parts constructed and arranged so as to occupy but a limited space when folded, and to form when opened a chair having a seat and a foot rest.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a folding chair having a back and seat, and a foot rest, which may if desired be used as a supplemental seat, the said chair comprising a plurality of frame members each one of which is of substantially the same construction so that when the chair is folded it forms a neat and compact package occupying but a minimum amount of space.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which s1m1- lar reference characters designate like parts in the several views.

In the drawings showing one of the preferred forms of the invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showin cr the chair in an open position.

*ig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the chair when folded.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of-a cover in which the folded chair may be carried.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

Serial No. 312,008.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation showing the folded chair positioned within the cover.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of Fig. 5.

In the drawings showing one of the preferred forms of the invention, the chair is shown as comprising three frames 1, 2 and 3 which form a frame for a back 1, seat 2, and foot rest or supplemental seat 3. Each one of the frames comprises sides 4, 5 and 6 respectively, and an end 7, 8 and 9. The frames are preferably made of a light angle iron, but pressed metal or any other suitable material may be used. The back 10 made of wood, cane, or any other suitable material is secured to the back frame 1, and a seat 11 made of wood, cane, or any other suitable material is secured to the seat frame 2. The forward part of the foot, or supplemental seat frame 3, is provided with a suitable covering 12 which may be of wood, cane, or any other suitable material. One end 7 of the back 1 is connected to the rear end 8 of the seat frame 2 by a hinged connection 13. The foot rest frame 3 is connected to the seat 2 by link members 14 and 15, one end of each of the links being pivotally connected to the seat and frame and spaced thereon, the link members preferably being of equal length and so arranged that as they are moved about the pivotal point, the seat 2 and foot rest 3 will be separated being held in a parallel position relative to each other. Two links will be arranged on each side of the chair connecting the sides 5 of the seat, and the seat frame 2, and the sides 6, 6 of the foot rest frame 3. Suitable legs are provided to support the lower frame 3 in spaced relation to the ground.

Front legs 16 are provided having the upper end thereof pivotally conne ted to the frame 3 by rivets, or any other suitable connection, there being preferably iprovided' split braces 17 connecting the side members 6 of the frame and the front legs 16. A spacing member 18 may be provided to connect the lower ends of the front legs 16 to brace the same. Rear legs 19 are provided and are connected to the rear portion of the sides 6 of the frame 3 in a manner similar to the method of connecting the front legs thereof. Split braces 20 may be provided to connect the rear legs to the frame 3, and a spacing member 21 is provided by connecting the lower ends of the rear legs to hold them in proper position. Positioning lugs 22 are secured to the rear legs 19 to serve as a support for the lower end of a bracing member 23 having the upper end thereof secured to the seat frame 1 by a hinged connection 2%. The bracing member 23 is of a size to correspond substantially with the dimensions of the back frame 1, the said frame member 23 serving as a bracing member when the chair is unfolded, and serves as a cover when the chair is in a folded position. The space between the back 10 and the cover or bracing member 23 may be used to carry food stuffs and various other articles used when camping or on a picnic. At one end of the cover or bracing member 23, a catch 24 is secured to the cover by a rivet or any other suitable means. Another bracing member 25 connects the two rear legs 19, and is arranged to receive the catch 21" when the cover 23 is moved downward to the position shown in Fig. 2. Another bracing means is provided to prevent the collapse of the seat 11 relative to the lower frame 3, the said means comprising arms 26 having the upper ends thereof piv-- otally connected by any suitable means to the rear part of the sides 5 of the seat frame 2. The bracing member 27 connects the arms 26 to hold them in proper relative position. The lower ends 28 of the arms 26 are positioned in openings formed in the sides 6 of the lower frame 3. It is thus seen that when a person is seated upon the seat 11, the links 14- and 15 and the arms 26 prevent the seat frame 2 and the lower frame 3 from coming together, or, in other words, they are held in a separated position and are held against longitudinal or vertical movement relative to each other.

Preferably, the upper end of the link 1 1 is pivotally connected at the forward end of the seat frame 2, and thelower end of the link 15 is connected to the rear part of the frame 3, the lower end of the link 14 being pivotally connected to the seat 6 of the frame 3 at a distance in from the front end of the frame 3 greater than the length of the link 14, the upper end of the link 15 beingpivotally connected to the seat 5 of'the seat frame 2 at a corresponding distance from the rear of the seat 2, so that when the arm or bracing member 26 is released, and the link members rotate, the seat frame 2 and foot-rest frame 3, will be moved toward each other, and when completely collapsed, the frame members 2 and 3 will substantially overlie each other. Of course, before the frames 2 and 3 can be moved to this position, it is first necessary to release the cat h 24 from the spacing member 18, and,

preferably, to close the back of the seat by the cover 23-, and then to turn the backframe 1 about its pivotal connection 13 sothat the said back will be folded upon and overlie the seat frame 2. It is thus seen that when the seat, back and foot rest are collapsed, being of substantially the same shape and size, a minimum space is occupied thereby. Of course, the front legs 16 and rear legs 19 are turned upon then pivotal point and move inward of the frame 3.

If the bottom end 28 of the arm 26 is positioned in an opening of the frame 3 at such a point that the links 1% and 15 are in a position offset from the vertical, the weight of a person upon the seat will be sustained by the joint action of the links 14: and 15, the arm 26, and the cover The inclined arm 26 would prevent the seat from moving forward relative to the frame 3. As a means of preventing accidental rearward movement of the seat frame 2 relative to the foot-rest frame 3, an additional bracing means may be provided which, in the preferred form shown, comprises a flexible connector 28, such as a strap or other suitable means, having one end thereof connected, preferably, to the rear part of the seat frame -3, and the other end to a Vshaped brace having the ends thereof, preferably, pivotally connected to the upper part of the front legs 16. The ii-shaped bracing member 29 is preferably so formed that the closed portion of the V is disposed centrally of the chair. Another ti-shaped bracing member 30 is provided, having the ends thereof pivotally connected to the seat frame 2, the closed V end extending downwardly, and having a hinged connection with the closed \I end of the bracing member 29. It is thus seen that the pivoted V braces and the flexible member 28 prevent the seat from moving rearwardly of the frame 3. Such an arrangement serves to stiffen and makes it possible to move the entire chair by grasping the back 2, without causing the chair to collapse. The ii-shaped brace members 29 and 30 and the flexible member 28 are folded within the seat and the frame 3, when the chair is collapsed.

After the chair has been folded or collapsed, as shown in Fig. 3, a suitable cover 31, preferably made of sheet metal, having a handle 32, may be provided to receive the folded chair, so that the same may be readily carried. In order to hold the folded chair within the cover 31, a catch 33, secured to the cover 31, engages a projecting head fixed to the rear of the back frame 1, and a projecting finger 35 having an opening therein is secured to the other end of the cover 31 and engages the catch at, the said finger 35 and catch 2% being secured by any suitable means, such as a nut and screw 36. Figs. 5 and 6 show the cover applied to the folded chair. If desired, the cover 31 may be of a larger size than the chair, sothat foodstuffs or other articles used in camping may be carried therein; or it may be provided with a bellowslike top.

It is thus seen that there is provided herein a folding chair of simple and rugged construction which may readily be folded to occupy but little space.

An important feature in the construction of the chair which tends to reduce the manufacturing cost, is the provision of a construction having a back, seat and foot-rest frame of substantially the same size.

\Vhile but one preferred form of the invention has herein been shown, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A folding chair comprising a plurality of frame members, a seat for one of said frame members, means connecting the two frame members including a plurality of link members to separate said frames and hold them in a parallel relation, an arm having one end thereof pivoted to one of the frame members the other end thereof being adj ustably positioned in the other frame member to hold the frames in a separated position, and legs pivotally secured to the lower frame.

2. A folding chair comprising a plurality of frame members arranged one above the other, a seat for the upper frame member, a plurality of link members having the ends thereof pivotally connected at spaced points to the upper and lower frame respectively, a bracing arm having one end thereof pivotally connected to the said frame and the other end thereof adjustably seated on the lower frame to hold the said frames in a separated and parallel position, and another frame member hinged to the seat, and a back therefor.

8. In a device of the character described, a folding chair comprising a plurality of frames of substantially the same size and form comprising a back, a seat hinged thereto and a foot rest connected to the seat by a plurality of arms having the ends thereof connected at spaced intervals to the seat frame and the foot rest frame respectively, and a bracing means interposed between the seat and the foot rest to hold the said parts in a separated position.

4. In a device of the character described, a folding chair comprising a plurality of frame members of substantially the same size, the said frames comprising a seat, a back and a foot rest, a hinged connection between the back and seat, a connection between the seat and foot rest including a plurality of link arms having the ends thereof pivotally connected to the seat and foot rest frames respectively, an arm pivotally connected to the seat and adapted to be folded therein, the other end of said arm being adjustably fixed on the foot rest frame to hold the seat and foot rest in spaced relation, and downwardly extending legs pivotally connected to the foot rest frame and adapted to be folded therein.

5. A folding chair comprising a seat frame, a back frame hinged thereto and a foot rest frame, means connecting the seat frame and the foot rest frame including a, plurality of legs having the upper ends thereof connected at spaced points to one side of the seat frame and the lower ends thereof connected to the corresponding side of the foot rest frame at spaced points thereon, an arm having one end thereof pivotally connected to the seat frameand the other end thereof adjustably positioned on the foot rest frame to hold the seat and foot rest in spaced relation, legs pivotally connected to the foot rest frame, and a bracing means connecting the frame and the legs.

6. A folding chair comprising a seat, a back and a foot rest of substantially the same size, a hinged connection between the back and seat, a connection between the seat and foot rest including a plurality of link members connected thereto at spaced points, an arm having one end thereof pivotally connected to the seat and the lower end thereof positioned in an opening in the foot rest, front and rear legs pivotally connected to the foot rest, a cover having a hinged connection with the back of the seat, and stops secured to the rear legs and adapted to receive the lower end of the cover when folded downward, whereby the said cover acts as an additional bracing member.

JACOB L. CELANE. 

